Last Minute Weddings (without the panic!)

If you’ve decided that you can’t wait to become Mr and Mrs any longer, a last minute wedding may be right up your street. Don’t panic if you find yourself wrapped up in a whirlwind of activity and excitement - follow the below tips to help make things run a little smoother!

Finishing touches to the wedding reception don’t need to be expensive or elaborate. Consider sprinkling rose petals or blossoms on the tables if you are having a Spring or Summer wedding. If you are getting married in Autumn or Winter take a walk in the park to find inspiration from nature. Pine cones, winter flowers, holly and ivy can all look stunning. If this doesn’t appeal, consider popping some tea lights on a mirror in the centre of each table to add a little sparkle to proceedings. Feathers, lanterns and garlands can also look stunning.

- Unlike the wedding dress, the groom’s suit can be ordered at a much shorter notice. Many online companies even offer next day delivery to help make things as easy as possible. High street chains usually have a fair amount of stock and a decent range to choose from. The most important thing is to make sure the measurements the groom has provided are correct and not based on his estimates before you place your order! So get out that tape measure to avoid any mishaps such as struggling to fasten shirt buttons or trouser legs dragging along the floor!

- Gone are the days when bridesmaid’s dresses needed to match in the same colour and style. Letting each bridesmaid select their own dress within a particular colour scheme will result in happier bridesmaids and dresses which suits each and reflects their best features. They will also be more likely to use the dress again and look more relaxed and comfortable in the photographs.

- Make use of modern communications! Instead of spending valuable days deciding on and ordering “Save the Date” cards, send your guests an email invitation instead. As well as saving money on postage and time on finding and writing out addresses, email is quick and less likely to get lost in transit. Facebook events and groups are also a great way of letting your guests know about your last-minute wedding and they will also help you keep track of how many people will be attending. If you would prefer to send something out to your guests you could consider using photo cards for your invitations. They are personal and look classy whilst being quick to produce and deliver.

- Depending on how last minute your big day is, you may find that lots of wedding suppliers are already booked up. Be brave and do a bit of DIY! Create your own unique flower arrangements or opt for a fashionable shabby-chic look by arranging your flowers in different vases, bottles or jars.

- You could also make your own cake or alternatively delegate this task to a friend or family member, ideally with a little experience in baking! A tiered Victoria sponge decorated with fresh fruit looks wonderful but requires no complicated icing. Or buy an iced supermarket cake and decorate it with fresh flowers or a cake topper.Perhaps you’d prefer to opt for small, easy to make fairy cakes or cupcakes and decorate them with vintage toppers, iced decorations or anything else you fancy! The possibilities for creativity are endless!

- As with the cake, don’t be afraid to ask for help with your big day – chances are friends and family members will be more than happy to lend a hand. If you have any particularly creative friends, why not invite them for a cup of tea (or a few glasses of wine!) and have a bit of a brainstorming session? There are also likely to be people you know who will be happy to act as chauffeurs or photographers.

- If you’re on a tight budget and have very little time, you may want to consider hiring a wedding planner to help you with your big day. Although this may appear to be a little frivolous, a good wedding planner is likely to pay for themselves in no time through using their contacts and being able to negotiate discounts and special rates for you. They are also ideally placed to come up with some amazing last minute solutions for you.

- Arranging complicated coursed meals can take time and create an extra expense. For something more relaxed and crowd pleasing you may wish to consider a wedding barbecue. Alternatively think creatively - why not have posh fish and chips or gourmet burgers? Your guests will be more likely to have fond memories of your wedding meal if you pick something that reflects your personality. So be creative and don’t feel like you have to stick to the norm!

- Remember why you chose a quick wedding in the first place. You probably wanted a fuss-free, no frills occasion with close family and friends which simply celebrated the start of your new life with your groom. Don’t feel like you have to invite everyone you’ve ever met to your big day. Consider inviting any additional guests to the post dinner reception only – this way they are still included in your day but you will save yourself a lot of money which can then go towards an amazing honeymoon or new marital home. -